Where have you gained most of your Koi Knowledge?

[RayJordan]

This has been an interesting thread to read. I agree with much of what has been written except that books are dinosaurs. Perhaps books printed on paper will mostly disappear but "published" books and magazines in some form will remain the best peer reviewed and vetted knowledge available.

Here is a brief list of types of experiences that have shaped my knowledge:

Books and magazines
Koi Clubs and events
Koi Shows
Koi Seminars
Mentors
Travel to koi events especially both coasts and to Japan
Repeat as frequently as possible
Start trying to mentor others about koi and learn how little you really understand
Repeat as frequently as possible

Experience especially multiple and varied experiences is what moves most of us along the learning curve. Seeing a pond system design in a book or on the internet prepares you to visit a lot of ponds in person and talk to the owners. The foundation learned from study and then the hands on experience of a live classroom helps me to better understand the overall designs. Traveling to other areas that use diffent methods and material enrich and expand the knowledge.

Some think the internet is all the"real" knowledge they need. Without real world perspective gained over time from hands on experience that strongly based in a strong foundation of science it is far too easy to remain a rank beginner. A beginner that keeps jumping for every new gadget or magic portion that is supposed to fix all their problems. Experienced Koi Keepers with real experience and hard earned knowledge do not need to buy magic beans because they have learned how to avoid or at least minimize most problems.

Find yourself a true experienced mentor and buy some good books and subscribe to a few good koi magazines and keep a open mind. I would also say patience is also a must. True knowledge takes time. Maybe more than a lifetime.

[Campcheryl]

Experience is the hardest kind of teacher. It gives you the test first and the lesson afterward.

[CarolinaGirl]

Books.......I learned from some, got muddled and incorrect information from others. Not good for a newbie who does not know which books can be trusted and which can't. It was a good place to start, but only gave me one perspective; that of the author.

Magazines....better than book to keep current on information.

Internet.....my favorite source of learning. I have access to the top hobbiests, judges, mentors....people who have traveled this road before me and are willing to teach. I have learned many things and made many friends because of the internet.

Shows.....a wonderful way to learn more about this hobby, just by interacting with others and attending the seminars. Volunteering to help work the show is another great way to learn.

Seminars.....the AKCA seminar is a great source of information.

The KHA course....another great source of information.

My own mistakes.....I learned a LOT this way

[schildkoi]

Quote: Originally Posted by CarolinaGirl Books.......I learned from some, got muddled and incorrect information from others. Not good for a newbie who does not know which books can be trusted and which can't. It was a good place to start, but only gave me one perspective; that of the author. Magazines....better than book to keep current on information. Internet.....my favorite source of learning. I have access to the top hobbiests, judges, mentors....people who have traveled this road before me and are willing to teach. I have learned many things and made many friends because of the internet. Shows.....a wonderful way to learn more about this hobby, just by interacting with others and attending the seminars. Volunteering to help work the show is another great way to learn. Seminars.....the AKCA seminar is a great source of information. The KHA course....another great source of information. My own mistakes.....I learned a LOT this way

Cindy, I want to take you on a journey to "yesteryear," back prior to the Buffalo seminar. Back in those days you would not listen to many of the same people that you listen to today (on the internet). In those years, had you had the "good books" and gone to the shows to talk with those you listen to today, would you not have been many steps ahead in the learning curve (you've caught up btw)? My point being that although now you continue your education through the internet, this is only because you have had direct interactions and waded through sources to settle in on those that you now find credible (built your solid foundation through other means). So in one sense the internet had many negatives along the way......from my outside looking in perspective.

I saw the biggest change during and following Buffalo for you.

Steve

[luke frisbee]

Quote: Originally Posted by PapaBear I think Brett may be related to Will Rogers... At least he sounds that way sometimes Reading along with all the answers draws me closer to a word lost on many these days. "Discernment". No matter where the information came from, the ability to sift it, glean what it valuable and put it into practice seems to be lacking amongst too many people. That is the chief downfall of the web, as too many gullible newbies seem ready and willing to accept every tidbit of pond-side urban legend as "fact". How else do you explain the success of ADI et-al... ...

Amen Amen and AAAAAAMEN!

Brett is one of the few sources of info I don't try and "discern" too much. he discerns all the info, and filters out most of the crap.
About the only time we butted heads on anything was about koi eating koi....I've seen it. To my terror as I just dumped about my ten or fifteen best 1-2 inch fry in with the "big koi" ("big" being 8-14 inches back then), and the 8-12 inchers got into a wolf pack like german U-boats and forced the 1-2 inchers into the corners where they picked them off... They did it until the little ones were gone.
So for ONE fact, I am more knowledgeable and better informed then Brett...and that's about it.

[schildkoi]

Quote: Originally Posted by luke frisbee Amen Amen and AAAAAAMEN! Brett is one of the few sources of info I don't try and "discern" too much. he discerns all the info, and filters out most of the crap. About the only time we butted heads on anything was about koi eating koi....I've seen it. To my terror as I just dumped about my ten or fifteen best 1-2 inch fry in with the "big koi" ("big" being 8-14 inches back then), and the 8-12 inchers got into a wolf pack like german U-boats and forced the 1-2 inchers into the corners where they picked them off... They did it until the little ones were gone. So for ONE fact, I am more knowledgeable and better informed then Brett...and that's about it.

Luke, I am surprised that you have learned anything ever from the internet or anywhere else for that matter since you simply do not listen nor put things into context. The statement about you knowing more than Brett is laughable even on the simple subject you cite since you did not put what Brett had to say into "perspective." Koi will not eat other koi, that is such a simple but true statement. Putting it into context means that a koi will not eat another koi when those other koi are discernable as such. fry are a long way away from what is discernable as a koi. To another koi they are simply other larve to munch on and thus you have once again not put things into proper perspective before making a rash statement.

Steve

[KoiCop]

Quote: Originally Posted by luke frisbee So for ONE fact, I am more knowledgeable and better informed then Brett...

Thanks for my morning laugh, Lukie.

[Seefdro Tvneik]

Well to me it's funny how this thread is evolving. I don't think there is a ultimate "BLUEPRINT" for koi knowledge. As I beleive our knowledge is unique to each and every one of us. WE should celebrate how all of our paths are different in obtaining koi knowledge. It would be boring and very uncreative if we all did the same thing to learn aspects of koi keeping and history.

Although I will have to say this once again about the internet. Books are a great tool for learning but those of you who have grown fond of these learning materials will see less of them. The new world is pushing for a world which will store all literature within the internet. Especially if you care about the environment. Too many trees are cut down and too many books, magazines and things all paper make their way to landfills. I hope I did not offend anyones book pride as I still find books as usefull tools but they don't make sense for mass learning anymore.

Here is my final thought regarding "knowledge". As the saying goes I believe many of us stand on the shoulders of giants regarding all things knowledge. In the koi hobby there are certainly folks who have exhibited a true desire to help educate the koi community. The great aspect about Koi Bito and other similiar sites is that people are able to present their thoughts in a very linear fashion via threads. In other words ideas are complete and present a clear understanding of someones viewpoint. There is very much an "INTERACTION and REFLECTION" going on here in Koi Bito and this type of learning tool is as effective as it gets. In many of these threads there is a urge to explore every aspect of the topic at hand. This is GREAT and with so many different backgounds contributing knowledge thoughts are sprouting everywhere in the world via these boards.

Ultimately it's whatever works best for you regarding learning.......You don't have to be all things koi to enjoy koi.....Remember there will always be someone smarter than you in something at one time or another...Proving the point that learning is unique for it's time and place in history....AND there really is no such thing as the "THE BEST"...

[dick benbow]

was trying to remember the name of the comedian, who's line was on the topic of education..."that all he needed to know he learned in first grade"......I think the routine went on to say he learned his name and how to tie his shoe.

LOL

As it's been noted there is lots of places and folks to learn things from but probably the gift of patience and observation helps to bring clarity to the particular situation.

[CarolinaGirl]

Steve, I have to agree that the Internet can be a very negative source, had it not been for the Internet and those "other" people, my fish would still be swimming in a little shallow pond with a skippy filter that got cleaned once a year. Had it not been for the Internet, I would have never even known what koi REALLY could be. I had never seen a good koi....only little speckled koi swimming in shallow ponds. Because of the Internet and the friends I made, I went to the Charlotte show in 2004 and saw REAL koi for the very first time. So the Internet really changed this hobby for me. I went from a water gardener to a koi hobbyist. You are correct that I had to wade through a lot of misinformation and so-called experts before I was able to discern who I could trust and who I could not, but I still have to count the internet as the best source of koi information out there.

As far as books go, the ones I like the best are the AKCA publications. They seem to be the most current as well, and not expensive.